• Home
  • Entertainment
  • Shoaib Akhtar Praises Jawan Shahrukh Khan Tiger Salman Khan Recalling His Kkr Stint

Shoaib Akhtar Praises 'Jawan' Shahrukh Khan & 'Tiger' Salman Khan Recalling His KKR Stint

image-lmeehwvoFormer Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar | Source: Twitter 

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has opened up on his relationship with Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, emphasizing how their influence has played a big role in his path to becoming a celebrity. 

The legendary pacer, famous as the 'Rawalpindi Express,' once played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, a franchise owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. 

In a recent interview, he shared how he used to emulate the acting styles of both these stars. Here’s what Shoaib Akhtar said while speaking in a video on the YouTube channel 'Wake up with Sorabh’: 

"Salman Khan has always been my favourite and I also like Shahrukh. I actually have to thank both of them because had they not come in my life, I wouldn't have become a star. I used to copy Salman and Shahrukh all the time. I also used to copy Waqar Younis' run-up and also Wasim Akram.” 

The Pakistan pacer also opened up about his close relationship with legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar:

"I was really lucky to be friends with Sachin. I got along with him really well. People feel we are enemies but that's really not the case. I was friends with everyone, especially Afridi, Saqlain, Ajju (Azhar Mahmood) and was the naughtiest in the fielding sessions, naughty in a good way. I used to do mimicry and used to copy everyone. I had very few fights.”

Furthermore, Akhtar expressed that he always wanted India to hold him in the same esteem as Pakistan does. The 48-year-old also shared his wish to see improved and strengthened relations between the two nations. 

"I always wanted India to love me as much as Pakistan does. It was always at the back of my mind. I always care about the region. I want trades to open between the two countries and I want things to get normal so I always talk in a balanced manner. People say I make YouTube videos only to make money and get praise from India. But I haven't done a video in a while.”

It's worth mentioning that India and Pakistan haven't engaged in bilateral cricket series for quite some time due to political tensions. They only come up against each other during the Asia Cup and ICC events.